ELECTRONIC-PROPERTIES OF LIQUID MERCURY ALLOYS

The thermoelectric power, Q, of liquid Rb-Hg and the electrical resist ivity, rho, of liquid K-Hg and Rb-Hg alloys were measured. A deep mini mum of Q is present at 5 at.% Rb. At this alkali content, the temperat ure coefficient of Q shows a minimum for liquid Rb-Hg, and the tempera ture coefficient of rho shows a maximum for liquid K-Hg and Rb-Hg. The resistivity shows a maximum value at 60 at.% alkali for liquid K-Hg a nd Rb-Hg alloys. Two types of chemical short-range order (CSRO) seem t o be present in liquid alkali-Hg alloys and features of these CSROs ar e discussed on the basis of the information available on the electroni c properties.